Forever Faithful 10-Day DevotionalSýnishorn

He Was Rejected Too

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. -Isaiah 53:3

My heart dropped as my coworker lamented over the discrimination she had faced in college. Her voice trembled with anger and hurt: “No one included me, so I often worked alone on group projects.”

While disgusted about the racial injustice she had experienced, I was grateful that I didn’t experience similar discrimination. Over time, some colleges have developed greater respect for ethnic groups.

I joined a Bible study with other Black students that taught us how Jesus Himself grew up within a stigmatized people group.

He was from a farm village of nobodies. “Nazareth!” someone exclaimed. “Can anything good come from there?” (John 1:46). Jesus understands what it’s like to be rejected—including for your identity.

Isaiah wrote prophetically of the Messiah, “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering” (53:4). Our includes all rejected people groups.

Isaiah continues, “But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed” (v. 5). Jesus was persecuted by people who didn’t acknowledge Him as God’s Son, our Savior.

We can be set free from sin by receiving Him instead of being bound to discrimination.

In college, God showered me with His love through believers who understood how to overcome rejection.

Sadly, my coworker didn’t have that experience. But God used my coworker’s story to inspire me to appreciate how He restores us.

Toria Keyes

How have you experienced God’s empathy and acceptance? Have you shared His love with others?

Dear Father, give me courage to seek You to heal from the sting of rejection because of my identity. You understand my pain; please bring me comfort and joy.